To think my universal credit feels generous.

[MoonBaby1]

I got to my early 40s without ever needing to claim but circumstances find me single and paying the lions share of child related outgoings.

I work full time on£31,000 and have found out this year thanks to applying that I get on average about £800 from UC. It has been an absolute life changer and will hopefully be able to afford a modest uk holiday actually during the summer holidays and pay the school back some debt im in for after school care.

So many benefits bashing threads so I just wanted to present another side that as a cash strapped mum of two who works full time, UC is making a positive difference to our life. I didn't even think id qualify!

Yes have a little holiday,you work full time and a break will be lovely for the children who will always remember.Hope you can find a last minute deal.Enjoy

The benefits don't exist so you can go on holidays and pay off debts do they?

She is paying for the holiday from her full time job she's talking a week in a caravan not a week in Barbados

It is not the taxpayers responsibility to pay for single people’s holibobs and people in stable couples who can’t afford the same are naturally resentful.

jabba im not going to engage with the 'youre being goady' nonsense.

I was lucky enough not to need them till 40 and pleasantly surprised that I could get anything. That's not to distract from the fact that many families and people with more difficult circumstances find their uc lacking. I do not speak for everyone.

Those who cannot work due to disabilities or caring sound like they are getting a shit deal. I am not posting as a spokesperson for anyone receiving uc.

I live there, and unemployment is high because there are no jobs. The jobs that do exist are mostly NMW care/shop work. The public transport system is laughable unless you live in one of the cities.

Of course, there are exceptions, especially in the likes of Leeds/Newcastle/Durham, but in the former mining towns that make up huge portions of the north, £30,000k p/a jobs are rarer than hen's teeth.

No it all comes from the same pot isn’t that what we tell married women when they can’t pay childcare?! Oh it’s MN so double standards reign supreme. Anyway I don’t think this thread will last long so it doesn’t really matter.

Probably the same price if she needs to book during the school Summer holidays 😬😁

yet they never seem to start threads demanding business pay better and pay proper wages ,

Why wouldn't a couple who are getting double/triple what op is be able to afford a holiday. Unless they are terrible with money or stretched themselves to far with their mortgage

Well then I sincerely apologise for the sarcasm. I assumed this was yet another thread with an agenda.
There has been a fucktonne of them recently.

the companies should pay better wages

Yeah wouldn't suprise me.

It is.

There is no way a single parent on approximately £40,000 a year feels like they have too much money, not unless they have massive amounts of family help towards childcare and live in a very cheap part of the north.

Caravan holidays these days can cost in the thousands depending length, time of year etc.

But that's not really the point is it?

The welfare bill is the number one issue for voters these days - people who work hard and can only just afford to survive are not happy that others who might even be earning more than them are getting their taxation to spend on holidays.

Food, shelter, clothing for children? Fine.

Holidays and paying off debts? That's not what the welfare state was ever intended for.

Husband an I both work ft, we’re just over the threshold for any benefits and we manage each month, but there’s nothing ‘spare’ either, I’d love a flipping holiday 😞 have to say it’s absurd to think if I considered cutting my hours we’d probably be better off! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

Benefits are not a savings scheme through tax, getting to 40 without needing them is not an achievement. You are never meant to need them, they are there for people who really do need them, not a bit of pin money

do you not get maintenance? And assume you rent

No worries error.

I agree that companies should pay more bit i work in the NHS so that's a whole different thread!

No wonder the country is bankrupt

Someone working full-time should not have to get into debt to live but they should be able to afford a small break once a year.

UK holidays do not have to cost ££££. They can if you want to go Center Parcs or the like, or they can cost a couple of hundred quid if you pitch a tent in Haggerston Castle, Scarborough, or Whitby and take your own food.

Companies, like people and governments, can only pay what they can afford.

Have you ever set up a company that paid staff wages?

Frankly I would wonder why, when you’re working full time do you need to claim benefits at all? How is society failing you that your income needs to be topped up? That’s the problem here.

Can you please name a town you think is representative?

I've just run a string of ex mining northern towns through searches for the unemployment rate and I can't find one that sticks out far above the national average.

I'm also reasonably certain that if we were to search for jobs above £30k there will be quite a few, especially if we include ones working from home that can be done anywhere.

I do rent at £1050 per month. Extortionate for a 2 bed place but pretty normal round here.

@MoonBaby1 I apologise too. I also assumed it was a goady thread with an agenda.

UC claimants get a hard time on here, and the threads often turn nasty and personal. A lot of people moaning might find they are qualified to some if they apply.

I hope you find a nice little holiday you can enjoy.